Gazans Face Dire Winter Choices Amidst War’s Devastation

As winter descends upon Gaza, residents confront a tragic dilemma: they must choose between living in tents exposed to harsh weather or risking their safety in the ruins of collapsed buildings. Over 400,000 homes have been destroyed due to ongoing conflict, leaving many families vulnerable and without adequate shelter.

In the southern region of Khan Younis, Hiyam Abu Nabah and her family reside in a dilapidated structure that offers little protection. With no access to a tent, they reside in the remains of a building, surrounded by debris and facing the threat of further collapse. Abu Nabah recounted the recent torrential rains that resulted in the deaths of at least 17 individuals, including children. According to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense, many casualties occurred due to building collapses, with over 90 residential buildings affected by the severe weather.

“The first day of the storm, we could hear the stones cracking above our heads,” Abu Nabah shared. “Sand was falling into our eyes… this is not a life.” Her five-year-old child navigates a hazardous environment, avoiding dangling electrical wires used to hang clothes off the damp ground. With the family’s home in Shujaiya now inaccessible due to military restrictions, their future remains uncertain.

A nearby resident, Awn Al Haj, described the precarious state of his shelter, where the roof is comprised of the collapsed foundation of an upper floor. “Three days of the storm were like the early days of the war,” Al Haj reflected. “Concrete blocks fall, water leaks in, wind and bitter cold.” Despite attempts to reinforce crumbling walls and cover openings with tarpaulin, Al Haj recognizes these measures as temporary solutions to a life-threatening issue.

As the winter weather intensifies, the situation remains dire. On Tuesday, a building in the al-Shati camp collapsed, resulting in one fatality and injuries to two others. Neighbors expressed their frustration, highlighting the urgent need for action to address the ongoing danger: “Houses keep collapsing. Someone do something about how we are living,” one resident lamented.

Mohammad Fathi, from the Gaza Civil Defense, noted the organization’s struggle to respond effectively due to a lack of heavy machinery for rescue efforts. “With every winter storm, many families and many children will die,” he warned. Although the Civil Defense advises residents to evacuate damaged buildings during storms, many have no alternative options and remain trapped in deteriorating conditions.

The United Nations reports that 1.3 million Palestinians are in urgent need of shelter this winter. According to COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for regulating goods entering Gaza, nearly 310,000 tents and tarpaulins have been provided, alongside over 1,800 trucks of warm clothing and blankets. Nonetheless, humanitarian organizations continue to call for increased aid access into Gaza to assist those without homes as winter progresses.

The UN has cited tragic incidents of two infants, aged two weeks and eight months, who died of hypothermia during the recent storms. With approximately 90% of shelters for displaced individuals completely flooded, more families face the prospect of living in precarious structures. Local resident Bakr Mahmoud al-Sheikh Ali noted the growing fear among families. “People are afraid, but they tell you, brother, I need shelter, I do not want a tent and water in the winter,” he stated.

The overwhelming sentiment among displaced Gazans reflects a desperate plea for assistance and a determination to survive against daunting odds. “Whatever happens, happens,” one resident concluded, encapsulating the uncertainty and resilience of those enduring this harsh winter.